Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Major General Svyatoslav Zayts as the new commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces.
Modern.az reports that the relevant decree of the head of state, numbered 853/2026 and dated September 2, 2026, was published on the President's official website.
The document states: “Svyatoslav Anatolyevich Zayts shall be appointed commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
With another decree signed by Zelensky earlier, Gennadi Shapovalov was dismissed from the post of commander of the Ground Forces.
Brigadier General Svyatoslav Zayts served in the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2014, when Russian troops entered Crimea, he participated in exercises on the peninsula.
At that time, Zayts commanded the reconnaissance company of the 25th airborne brigade. He withdrew the unit to the mainland of Ukraine and later continued his service in the Airborne Assault Forces.
Zayts also served as chief of staff and deputy commander of the 8th corps of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In April 2026, he was appointed commander of the 20th Army Corps.
It should be noted that the former commander Gennadi Shapovalov was appointed head of the Ground Forces in June 2025. Before him, Mykhailo Drapatyi held this position.
